Over the years I’ve learned to define my own rules for relationships based on what I felt was right for me and respectful to those around me. Here are the ten top ones I do my best to live by. I hope you find these as helpful in your relationships as I’ve found them to be in mine.
1. I surround myself with people who are respectful to me at all times-even in anger.
2. I ask for what I want, not what I think I’ll get.
3. I treat others well and hold others accountable for treating me well.
4. I share what I want to share, not what I believe others want me to share.
5. I apologize whenever I am in the wrong. I don’t apologize just to help others feel better.
6. I listen to my loved ones with a genuine heart and ask that they do the same for me.
7. I surround myself with friends and loved ones who genuinely want to be with me.
8. Loved ones in my life need to fuel me.
9. I give family and friends authentic feedback when asked and will ask the same of them…even when I know it may be a difficult conversation.
10. I do my best to not judge others and work hard to have the humility of understanding we all do things we’re not proud of–we’re human.
CHALLENGE: Choose one of the above tenets to try out in your relationship. Choose the one that you believe would have the most impact. Let me know what you see!